Starting school for the first time?

Starting school is an exciting time for your child and will involve many changes for them as he or she establishes new relationships, learns new routines and takes the first steps towards independence. For some, starting school will be the first separation from family and should therefore, be a positive experience for your child. Positive learning occurs when children feel secure and happy.

Transitioning Your Child Into School

We believe that a five year old’s start at school will be a more positive experience for them if they know their teacher, their classmates, the learning space and some of the school routines before they start school. For this reason, we encourage all families to register their child onto our Transition Into School programme at least 6 weeks before they turn 5 years old.

This can be done by giving your child’s completed enrolment pack to our office staff and they will ensure that your child gets placed onto the programme. Our office staff will let you know when your child can begin their transition into school as soon as they are able to confirm your child’s classroom placement with the principal.

As the child’s readiness for school increases, the classroom teacher may suggest to the preschool or parent that their child spend a longer period of time in class.

All children being transitioned into school must be accompanied by a parent or a member of their preschool unless suggested otherwise by the classroom teacher.

We encourage all children to begin their transition into school at least six weeks before they turn five. This year we have three Year 0-2 Junior composite classrooms which includes one  Māori and one Cook Islands enhancement classroom as well as a mainstream class as follows:

Room 1 – Mr Afemata (Mainstream)

Room 2 – Whaea Marama (Māori Bilingual)

Room 3 – Maine Christina (Cook Islands Bilingual)

Our transition times are:

Tuesdays 8.30am to 9.30am
Wednesdays 8.30am to 9.30am
Thursdays 8.30am to 9.30am

For more information and/or to register your child for our Transition to School programme, please contact Whaea Trina in the school office at: admin@rongomai.school.nz.  Alternatively, you can simply ask for her on this number: 274 6055.